Simulated fragmentation grenade

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a simulated fragmentation grenade that can be rearmed for reuse, comprising a fixed part attached to springs acting on plates that move between an inner position and an outer position, an axial mobile part passing through the fixed part, the axial mobile part being pushed upwards by a spring, and being axially extended in the upper portion by a rod that is rotatably actuated by a mechanism, the rod being attached to a control casing arranged on the outside such that it can move axially and rotationally on a central extension of the body of the grenade, the axial mobile part having retention means for retaining the plates in the inner position, for releasing that retention according to the movement of the axial mobile part.

FIELD OF THE ART

The present invention relates to making toys imitating the functional concept of real-life objects, proposing a simulated fragmentation grenade that is easy to assemble and has a simple makeup, with a functional mechanical arrangement that allows efficiently imitating the explosive effect of real-life hand grenades that can be rearmed for reuse.

STATE OF THE ART

In the field of toy making, it is common to develop toys that imitate real-life objects, such as weapons, for example, the success of which is determined by both design similarity to imitated real-life objects and the apparent functional effect that the toys allow developing by imitating real-life objects within those conditions characteristic of the toy objects.

Various embodiments of simulated grenades with a functional effect imitating the explosive action of real-life hand grenades, with developments based on gas (CO₂), compressed air or mechanical assembly actuations are known in that sense (see, for example, patent documents U.S. Pat. No. 3,878,639, U.S. Pat. No. 4,944,521, U.S. Pat. No. 5,354,225, U.S. Pat. No. 5,877,448, U.S. Pat. No. 5,996,503, US20070249262, U.S. Pat. No. 5,964,639, US20120266853, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,932,329)

Solutions consisting of gas or compressed air actuation are expensive because they require air or gas charges that cannot be replenished by users for reusing the grenades, and maintenance for replacing leak-tight seals is also required.

Mechanical solutions are less expensive to maintain, but the existing embodiments are extremely complex, therefore being difficult for users to rearm for reuse.

There are also embodiments with a destructive operation when the grenade is used, so the grenades cannot be reused, it therefore being a very expensive, and therefore not widely accepted solution.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The invention proposes a simulated fragmentation grenade developed according to an embodiment having constructive and functional features that are very suitable for the recreational function of application relating to the military simulation game known as Airsoft.

This grenade object of the invention comprises a structural body formed by a lower cap and an upper cap attached to one another by means of columns, leaving between them and the caps a central space and peripheral spaces with respect to which rotary closure gates are arranged, a fixed part integral with the columns being arranged in the central space, to which there are attached radially oriented springs acting on mobile plates that can be housed inside the structural body and come out of same, whereas an axial mobile part passes through the mentioned fixed part of the central space, which axial mobile part is pushed upwards by a lower spring, said axial mobile part being extended in the upper portion by a rotary rod rotating thereon, said rod being connected with a rotation actuating mechanism and attached at the end to a control casing arranged on the outside on a central extension of the upper cap.

The control casing internally has in its peripheral wall inwardly-projecting notches which fit in longitudinal grooves of the central extension of the upper cap, along which said notches can slide up to an annular channel of the base of said central extension of the upper cap; the peripheral wall of said control casing furthermore having an outwardly-projecting flange for abutting against a blocking element that is removably arranged between lugs emerging from the upper cap in the outer portion.

The mobile plates on which the radial springs of the fixed part of the central space act have engagement elements oriented towards the inner portion, whereas the axial mobile part has in the positions facing said mobile plates other engagement elements which are susceptible to interlocking with the engagement elements of the mentioned mobile plates according to the position of said axial mobile part.

On the other hand, the rotary closure gates of the peripheral spaces of the structural body have a tooth-shaped lip in the rotating area, the edge of the corresponding mobile plate engaging said lip when that mobile plate moves to the position of being housed inside the structural body.

A functional assembly formed by parts strategically connected to one another is thereby obtained, wherein the mobile plates of the contour allow keeping the closure gates of the peripheral spaces in the closed position, whereas said mobile plates of the contour are retained in the position moved inwards against their push springs, by means of the central axial mobile part, which is kept, against the pushing of the lower spring, in the engaged position for retaining the mentioned mobile plates of the contour by the control casing in connection with the central extension of the upper cap, while said control casing is kept blocked by the retention element, against the actuation transmitted by the rotation actuating mechanism to the rotary rod which extends the central mobile part.

Therefore, when the retention element is removed, the rotation actuating mechanism causes the control casing to rotate until it reaches the axial movement position with respect to the central extension of the upper cap, allowing the movement of the central mobile part due to the pushing of the lower spring, whereby the engagement for retaining the mobile plates of the contour is released, said mobile plates then move abruptly outwards pushed by their springs, the movement of said plates moving the closure gates of the peripheral spaces to the open position.

In those conditions, if the peripheral spaces between the mobile plates and the closure gates are filled with small shrapnel-simulating elements with the entire grenade assembly completely closed, when the grenade abruptly opens, the shrapnel-simulating elements are cast out pushed by the mobile plates, which occurs from the moment the retention element is removed, in the time it takes to rotate the control casing from the blocking position to the axial movement position.

It is envisaged that the rotation actuating mechanism of the control casing is actuated by a coil spring which is stretched when said control casing is taken to the blocking position by means of the outer retention element, said rotation actuating mechanism being connected with the control casing by means of a direct drive causing the rapid rotation of the control casing, or by means of a geared drive causing the rotation of the control casing to be slow, determining in such case a time delay in the opening of the grenade.

When the grenade is open, it can be rearmed by forcing the elements of the grenade assembly to the closed position until blocking in the closed position is established, being able to be reloaded with shrapnel-simulating elements through reload holes provided for that purpose in the structural body of the grenade.

The upper engagement elements of the axial mobile part have protrusions provided for receiving explosive primers, whereas the lower base of the upper cap has housings in which said protrusions of the engagement elements of the axial mobile part fit, such that in the axial movement of the mobile part the protrusions collide against the housings of the upper cap, causing the detonation of the explosive primers, and a detonation sound effect simulating grenade detonation therefore being produced.

A grenade that is structurally simple, and therefore cost-effective to make is thus obtained, whereby achieving an efficient functional effect of the explosive simulation of a real-life hand grenade, without said explosive simulation being destructive to the structural body of the grenade, which can be readily rearmed for reuse, so it is very acceptable as a recreational object.

Based on the foregoing, said simulated fragmentation grenade object of the invention has very advantageous features for its intended function, being novel and preferred with respect to the conventional solutions of grenades of the same type existing today.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an external view of a first embodiment of a simulated fragmentation grenade according to the invention, in a closed position.

FIG. 2 is a vertically sectioned perspective view of a simulated fragmentation grenade like in the preceding drawing.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the grenade, with the retention element located, in a disassembled manner, in a correlative assembly position.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the grenade in an open position, with the retention element and control casing located, in a disassembled manner, in a correlative assembly position.

FIG. 5 is a side section view of the grenade with the elements constituting the preceding drawings.

FIG. 6 is a vertically sectioned perspective view of the open grenade, with the outer retention element separated in a correlative position with respect to the assembly position thereof.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the open grenade transversally sectioned below the upper cap.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the open grenade seen from a lower position.

FIG. 9 shows an external view of a second embodiment of a simulated fragmentation grenade according to the invention in a closed position.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the grenade in an open position with the retention element and the control casing located, in a disassembled manner, in a correlative assembly position.

FIG. 11 is another perspective view of the second embodiment of the grenade.

FIG. 12 shows a bottom perspective view of the upper cap, the control casing and the retention element of the grenade of the second embodiment of FIG. 9.

FIG. 13 is a side section view of the grenade with the elements constituting the preceding FIGS. 9 to 12 in a closed and armed position.

FIG. 14 is a side section view of the grenade with the elements constituting the preceding FIGS. 9 to 12 in an open position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention relates to a simulated fragmentation grenade which is determined with a functional embodiment that allows efficiently imitating a non-destructive explosive effect and which can be rearmed for reuse.

As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the simulated fragmentation grenade object of the invention comprises a structural body formed by a lower cap (1) and an upper cap (2), which are attached to one another by means of columns (3), leaving between them and the caps (1) and (2) a central space and peripheral spaces, the peripheral spaces having rotary closure gates (4).

A fixed part (5) attached to the columns (3) is arranged in the central space, through which an axial mobile part (6) passes, said axial mobile part (6) being supported on a lower spring (7) that pushes it upwards.

As seen in FIG. 5, springs (8) projecting radially into the peripheral spaces defined between the columns (3) are attached to the fixed part (5), said springs (8) acting on plates (9) which can move between a position projecting outwardly from the peripheral contour of the structural body, pushed by the mentioned springs (8), and a position withdrawn inwardly against the respective springs (8).

The plates (9) have engagement elements (10) on their inner face, whereas the axial mobile part (6) has other engagement elements (11) in the areas facing said plates (9) such that according to the position of said axial mobile part (6), the engagement elements (11) thereof can establish an interlocking with respect to the engagement elements (10) of the plates (9) for retaining same in the position withdrawn inwardly against their springs (8), and for releasing the interlocking so that the plates (9) can come out pushed by the respective springs (8).

As seen in FIG. 7, the closure gates (4) of the peripheral spaces have in the area of rotational assembly thereof a tooth-shaped lip (12) such that when the plates (9) are taken to the position withdrawn inwardly against their springs (8), they engage said lip (12) of the respective gates (4) with their edges, forcing said gates (4) to rotate to the closed position for closing the corresponding peripheral spaces, keeping them in that closed position.

As seen in the section view of FIG. 2, the axial mobile part (6) is axially extended in the upper portion by a rod (13) which can rotate thereon, said rod (13) being connected to a rotation actuating mechanism (14), whereas that rod (13) is attached at its end to a control casing (15) arranged on the outside on a central extension (16) of the upper cap (2).

The control casing (15) has inwardly-projecting notches (17) in its peripheral wall which fit in longitudinal grooves (18) of the central extension (16) of the upper cap (2), see FIG. 4, along which said notches (17) can slide up to an annular channel (19) the mentioned central extension (16) of the upper cap (2) has at the base; such that the control casing (15) can move axially by the notches (17) sliding along the grooves (18) and rotate when said notches (17) are in a position of sliding along the annular channel (19), a retention which prevents axial movement when the notches (17) are located in that annular channel (19) being established.

The peripheral wall of the control casing (15) furthermore has a flange (20) for abutting against a retention element (21) which is arranged between lugs (22) that emerge from the upper cap (2), such that the mentioned flange (20) of the wall of the control casing (15) is arranged in the proximity of said lugs (22) of the upper cap (2) when the control casing (15) is in an angular position in which its notches (17) are located inside the annular channel (19) of the central extension (16) of the upper cap (2), so upon inserting the retention element (21) between the lugs (22), the retention element (21) abuts with the flange (20), blocking the control casing (15) in that position, preventing it from rotating.

The retention element (21) can be secured in the position of insertion between the lugs (22) in which it blocks the control casing (15) from rotating by means of a pin (23) which is transversally inserted and must be extracted to allow removing the retention element (21), when the operation of the grenade is to be released, such as the safety pin of a real-life hand grenade.

As seen in FIGS. 7 and 8, to carry out a grenade explosion simulation effect, it has been envisaged for the upper engagement elements (11) of the axial mobile part (6) to have protrusions (25) on which explosive primers containing gunpowder can be arranged, whereas the lower base of the upper cap (2) incorporates housings (26) in which said protrusions (25) of the engagement elements (11) of the axial mobile part (6) fit, such that when the protrusions (25) collide against the housings (26) of the upper cap (2), a detonation sound effect is produced.

This being the case, in order to use the grenade once it is closed and armed, the first step consists of filling the peripheral spaces between the plates (9) and the closure gates (4) with small shrapnel-like elements (not depicted). The pin (23) is then removed from the lugs (22) and the grenade is thrown such that when it hits the ground, the retention element (21) becomes detached, said retention element (21) therefore no longer abutting against the flange (20) of the control casing (15), and the same therefore being free to rotate through the actuation of the rotation actuating mechanism (14), so when said control casing (15) reaches the angular position in which its notches (17) coincide with the grooves (18) of the central extension (16) of the upper cap (2). Said control casing (15) therefore moves axially, together with the axial mobile part (6) and the rod (13), due to the pushing of the lower spring (7), such that when the axial mobile part (6) moves, the interlocking between the engagement elements (11) of said axial mobile part (6) and the engagement elements of the plates (9) is released, the retention thereof being freed, so said plates (9) are driven radially outwards, due to the pushing of their springs (8), opening the gates (4) and the shrapnel-like elements being cast out, like in an explosion. At the same time, in the axial movement of the mobile part (6), the protrusions (25) collide against the housings (26) of the upper cap (2), causing the detonation of the explosive primers, and the detonation sound effect being produced.

Holes (24) are provided for introducing the shrapnel-like elements in the peripheral spaces of the grenade, the hole being able to be blocked with plugs or any other closure means after the shrapnel-like elements have been introduced therein; said filling holes (24) being able to be located in any portion of the structural body of the grenade, for example, in the lower cap (1), allowing the user to refill the grenade him/herself after rearming it for reuse.

The rotation actuating mechanism (14) is connected with the control casing (15) by means of a transmission which causes said control casing (15) to rotate quickly, such that the explosive opening of the grenade occurs when the retention element (21) becomes detached. It is also possible for the rotation actuating mechanism (14) to be connected with the control casing (15) by means of a transmission which causes said control casing (15) to rotate slowly, which determines a delay in the rotation of the control casing (15) and therefore in the explosive opening of the grenade which allows removing the retention element (21) before throwing the grenade.

Additionally, it has been envisaged for the mobile plates (9) to have a striking color standing out from the color of the environment in which the grenade is being used, such as a yellow color, for example, such that it will be easier to locate the grenade when it has detonated at the site where it is being used.

FIGS. 9 to 14 show a second embodiment of the simulated fragmentation grenade of the invention. In this second embodiment, the inside of the upper cap (2), the control casing (15) and the retention element (21) have been modified with respect to the first embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 8. The rest of the elements of the second embodiment of the grenade are identical to those of the first embodiment, therefore the same reference numbers are used for designating identical elements.

As seen in FIGS. 10 to 12, the second embodiment of the invention comprises a control casing (27) having radially outward projecting protuberances (28) on the outside thereof, which protuberances (28) are susceptible to fitting in longitudinal grooves (29) of the upper cap (2), see FIGS. 10 and 11. The protuberances (28) can slide along the longitudinal grooves (29) up to an annular channel (30) the upper cap (2) has defined therein, such that the control casing (27) can move axially by the protuberances (28) sliding along the grooves (29) and rotate when said protuberances (28) are in a position of sliding along the annular channel (30), a retention which prevents axial movement of the control casing (27) when the protuberances (28) are located in that annular channel (30) being established.

The control casing (27) additionally comprises a window (31) in which an appendage (32) of the retention element (21) which is arranged between the lugs (22) of the upper cap (2) can be fitted, such that the window (31) of the control casing (27) is located facing the lugs (22) of the upper cap (2) when the control casing (27) is in an angular position in which its protuberances (28) are located inside the annular channel (30) of the upper cap (2), so upon inserting the retention element (21) between the lugs (22), the appendage (32) of the retention element (21) fits in the window (31), blocking the control casing (27) in that position, therefore preventing it from rotating.

To simulate the effect of a grenade explosion, instead of using the protrusions (25) which collide with the housings (26) seen in FIGS. 7 and 8, it has been envisaged for the control casing (15, 27) to have a radial projection (33) on which an explosive primer consisting of gunpowder can be arranged, whereas the upper cap (2) has an axial projection (34) configured for receiving the radial projection (33), such that when the control casing (15, 27) rotates, collision between the radial projection (33) of the control casing (15, 27) and the axial projection (34) of the upper cap (2) occurs, a sound effect being produced due to the detonation of the explosive primer.

The retention element (21) can additionally comprise an L-shaped extension (35), which is an extension of the upper end of the retention element (21) and is partially covering the control casing (15, 27) in the assembled arrangement thereof in the grenade, such that when the grenade is thrown, this extension (35) creates a larger surface of contact with the ground, favoring removal of the retention element (21) so that grenade detonation can take place. Furthermore, with this configuration the retention element (21) is not completely detached from the structural body of the grenade, the retention element (21) thus being prevented from being lost in the playing field after throwing the grenade.

This being the case, in order to use the grenade of the second embodiment once it is closed and armed, see FIG. 13, the first step consists of filling the peripheral spaces between the plates (9) and the closure gates (4) with small shrapnel-like elements (not depicted). The pin (23) is then removed from the lugs (22) and the grenade is thrown such that when the extension (35) of the retention element (21) hits the ground, the retention element (21) moves laterally, the appendage (32) of the retention element (21) therefore no longer being fitted in the window (31) of the control casing (27).

The control casing (27) is therefore free to rotate through the actuation of the actuating mechanism (14), so the protuberances (28) of the control casing (27) slide along the annular channel (30) of the upper cap (2) until reaching the angular position in which its protuberances (28) coincide with the grooves (29) of the upper cap (2).

At that moment, the control casing (27) moves axially, together with the axial mobile part (6) and the rod (13), due to the pushing of the lower spring (7), such that when the axial mobile part (6) moves, the interlocking between the engagement elements (11) of said axial mobile part (6) and the engagement elements of the plates (9) is released, the retention thereof being freed, so said plates (9) are driven radially outwards due to the pushing of their springs (8), opening the gates (4) and the shrapnel-like elements being cast out, like in an explosion, see FIG. 14.

Right before the control casing (27) begins its axial movement, the radial projection (33) of the control casing (27) collides against the axial projection (34) of the upper cap (2) causing the detonation of the explosive primer, and the detonation sound effect being produced. 

1. A simulated fragmentation grenade formed by elements that are connected to one another to determine an explosive functional behavior that can be rearmed for reuse, charactcrizcd in that wherein it comprises a structural body internally determining a central space and peripheral spaces, the peripheral spaces having rotary closure gates, whereas a fixed part is arranged in the central space, to which there are attached radially oriented springs acting on plates located in the peripheral spaces with the possibility of moving between an inner position and an outer position with respect to same; an axial mobile part passing through the fixed part, said axial mobile part being pushed upwards by a lower spring and axially extended in the upper portion by a rotary rod rotating thereon which is connected with a rotation actuating mechanism and attached at the end thereof to a control casing arranged on the outside such that it can move axially and rotationally on a central extension of the structural body; the axial mobile part being provided with retention means for retaining the plates in the inner position of the peripheral spaces, for releasing that retention according to the movement of said axial mobile part.
 2. The simulated fragmentation grenade according to claim 1, wherein the control casing has in its peripheral wall inwardly-projecting notches which fit in longitudinal grooves of the central extension of the structural body, allowing axial movement of said control casing; said longitudinal grooves communicating with an annular channel defined at the base of the central extension along which the notches can slide, allowing rotation of the mentioned control casing in an axial movement position thereof.
 3. The simulated fragmentation grenade according to claim 2, wherein the peripheral wall of the control casing has a flange for abutting against a removable retention element blocking the rotation of said control casing in an angular position thereof with its notches housed in the annular channel of the central extension of the structural body.
 4. The simulated fragmentation grenade according to claim 3, wherein the retention element is arranged between lugs, in which it is secured by means of a transverse pin that can be extracted to allow removing said retention element.
 5. The simulated fragmentation grenade according to claim 1, charactcrizcd in that wherein the closure gates of the peripheral spaces have in the area of rotational assembly thereof a tooth-shaped lip, which engage the corresponding plates with their edge, which plates force said gates to the closed position when located inside the peripheral spaces.
 6. The simulated fragmentation grenade according to claim 1, wherein the plates have on their inner face engagement elements, whereas the axial mobile part has other engagement elements in the areas facing said plates, enabling the establishment between the engagement elements and of an interlocking for retaining the plates inside the peripheral spaces.
 7. The simulated fragmentation grenade according to claim 1, wherein the structural body comprises a lower cap and an upper cap which are attached to one another by means of columns, the central space and peripheral spaces of the inside of said structural body being defined between said columns and the caps and.
 8. The simulated fragmentation grenade according to claim 7, wherein the engagement elements of the axial mobile part incorporate protrusions on which there are arranged explosive primers susceptible to colliding with housings defined in the lower base of the upper cap to produce a simulated detonation effect
 9. The simulated fragmentation grenade according to claim 1, wherein the structural body has holes for introducing shrapnel-like elements through same into the peripheral spaces of the inside, said holes being able to be blocked with plugs or any other closure means.
 10. The simulated fragmentation grenade according to claim 7, wherein the control casing has radially outward projecting protuberances which fit in longitudinal grooves of the upper cap, allowing axial movement of said control casing, said longitudinal grooves communicating with an annular channel the upper cap has defined therein, along which the protuberances can slide, allowing rotation of the control casing in an axial movement position thereof.
 11. The simulated fragmentation grenade according to the prcccding claim 10, wherein the control casing has a window in which an appendage of a retention element can fit, blocking rotation of the control casing in an angular position of the control casing in which the protuberances thereof are housed in the annular channel of the upper cap.
 12. The simulated fragmentation grenade according to claim 7, wherein the control casing has a radial projection on which there can be placed an explosive primer configured for colliding against a radial projection of the control casing and producing a simulated detonation effect.
 13. The simulated fragmentation grenade according to claim 3, wherein the retention element comprises an L-shaped extension partially covering the control casing. 